People buy homes year round but it does slow down during this time of year due to the holidays and the weather it seems. But if you are a buyer it might be a good chance as properties will just continue to sit and you could make a good offer and see if it sticks.

I think you've answered your own question in putting your concerns in writing. If you think the road, the traffic volume, the updating, etc. are concerns, so will a future buyer. You can correct the kitchen issue by throwing some money at the project but you can't change the location. That $8,000 tax credit is going to seem tiny in comparison to the potential issues down the road. I wouldn't buy anything just because of the credit, which may or may not be extended.

I'm not sure where he's looking but in central Pinellas to the northern part of the county there are some very decent houses for sale betweeen $140-165k. Most won't have pools so I don't know if that will sway your son one way or the other. I just took someone out this weekend looking for something like he's looking for focusing on Dunedin. We looked at about 10 houses & my buyer made an offer on a very nice house listed at $150k.

If your son doesn't already have an agent & if I can be of any help you or he can contact me by email or phone.

I think you probably mean listing agent. The selling agent is the agent that would typically represent the buyer that makes an offer on your property, although if the buyer is not represented by an agent, the listing agent could also be the selling agent (even though they probably wouldn't represent the buyer). So you have the listing agent who represents the seller, possibly a buyer's agent, but when you have an accepted offer you always have a selling agent, who could be either the listing agent or the buyer's agent.

Assuming you mean listing agent, the listing agent should be giving you feedback as often as you desire. You need to communicate that to them, however. That contact should at a minimum include information on how many "hits" your listing has had, as well as how many viewings. I won't say however that there is a certain frequency that the agent should contact you. Sometimes too frequent of contact is a bad thing. It's really up to you.... more

First, congratulations to the Mayor for using this forum to gather information. It's really great, and it shows commitment to hearing the voice of the people, and also to use the latest and greatest in terms of technology.

to answer the question, I would like to have access to the following information by neighborhood:
- crime
- public transportation
- parks
- schools (if possible, with access to a grade/quality classification of all city schools by neighborhood)
- population density (how many people per sq. mile)
- free parking? zone parking? paid-only parking?
- restaurant
- distance to supermarket/market
- weekly farmers market?
- distance from highways
- noise levels (very important in a city crossed by highways in many areas)
- traffic volume
- museums
- cinemas
- open studios (and other informal but regular art happenings)
...

I could go on, but will stop here.
congrats again on this initiative, it's genious!... more

The only time a corner lot carries more value is when either a) It is on a larger lot as compared to similar homes on the middle of the block or b) if you come across a buyer who just so happens to like corner lots. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, some buyers do not want corner lots, others love them. In the end it kind of balances out. It also depends what's on the corner, is there a traffic light, bus stop, etc.?

The only way to determine if a realtor is low balling you would be to interview several agents and see what types of estimates of value they give you. Some agents will low ball trying to make their job easy, others will highball you to insure that you list with them and not another broker. An honest broker (which I like to think is the vast majority of them!) will give you the right estimate, not too low and not too high.

Most of the comparables you see will not be corner lots because the volume of sales on corner lots are limited, hence if you only looked at corner lot sales you would not see much.

I would love the opportunity to help you, my office is located on Avenue R right off Nostrand Avenue and Sheepshead Bay is one of the areas I specialize in. Please call me so we can discuss this further. Thanks and good luck!

The zip code for East Nashville is 37206 or 37216 and directions are easy. If you get off of the Shelby Street exit and go away from the Titan's Stadium you will be in East Nashville. I have alot of great information about East Nashville on my website @http://therealestategalnashville.wordpress.com/ there are several areas that make up East Nashville as a whole. Lockeland Springs, Inglewood, Historic Edgefield, Cleveland Park, Maxwell Heights, Eastwood Neighbors etc. Please let me know if I can help.

Noviseller,
There may be a couple of factors that are affecting your lack of offers. What has the feedback been from the people that have seen the home? Is there a pattern of "objections"? If you hear the same objection or comment from numerous Buyers, you most likely need to address that issue.
You, as the Seller only control 3 things in the sale of your home- 1. Condition - how it appears to the public- inside and out. 2. the access to the property- ability for Buyers to see the home. 3. The PRICE- you are going to be compared to everything else in your area. Buyers are looking for the BEST VALUE they can find. If you are priced below the comparable homes in your area, you also have the possibility ot causing a "buzz" between Buyers which could ultimately result in a quicker sale and possibly a multiple offer situation- bringing your sale price higher than if you over-price the home.
The first month on the market is the most important- I would suggest to discuss everything with your agent and then decide accordingly.

You ought to have your condo appraised first to see where it is in today's market. Then compare it to where you bought it. I do not think prices in the Marina will drop any more unless the economy takes a really bad turn and I cannot predict that. Economists seem to feel we are at or near the bottom and should start a rebound, slowly, but still our economy is expected to recover.

Libor is the slowest mover. But you should still talk with a mortgage broker about interest rates. If stagflation comes about, interest rates will rise. In fact, they have risen slightly already. If the economy does not move, then the Fed may lower them again. There are several excellent ones to pick from my website under RESOURCES-mortgage brokers & bankers.

If you really can hold for 2-3 years, I would suggest you hold on. If the economy gets better so will prices. But do not expect a huge increase in percentages. After you get your Comparative Market Analysis/Appraisal and talk to an "expert" in the banking business, then make your decision. Naturally, I and my other colleagues would be happy to give you a FREE CMA and list your property should you decide to sell.

If you are working with a Buyer's Agent - that Agent can give you statistics that will either prove or disapprove the fact at question. If you are not working or under contract with an agent - I would be more than happy to offer you representation. I am a certified relocation specialist. Should you care to give me a call on my cell 508-446-4733 or drop me an email at nancy.quigley@century21.com

The best way is through local marketing meetings where we pitch your homes in person to other Realtors.......and in sales meetings where we pitch your home to other Realtors within our company. In addition, there are dozens of websites that consumers search.....I also use television.... more

Seven Oaks is a wonderful community, with lots of activities for all ages. Their amenities include a clubhouse,pool, water slide, tennis courts, basketball courts and soccer field. There is a swim team and multiple tennis teams available for all ages and abilities. The neighborhood attends some of the top schools in north Fulton.

As far as traffic, McGinnis Ferry Rd. is being widened right now, so that is creating some bottlenecks, but once the work is done it should relieve a lot of the congestion, especially with eliminating the 3 way stop at the intersection of Sargent Road. No one can predict how much or how little prices will appreciate in the future, but I think Seven Oaks will do well because of the amenities and schools.

If you would like more information, or need a buyer's agent to represent you and show you homes, please feel free to call me.
Andrea Hanley
404-457-9338... more

If your selling agent can tell you why, then no, it is time to listen to the selling agent. (which is really the listing agent - you haven't found the selling agent yet). For example, if your agent says you are over priced or need staging or something, and you are not willing to do it, then your agent is not the problem. If your agent says 'Gee, I don't know" then your agent could be the problem. Saleability factors - people, product, price, promotion. A typical MLS at th with automatic feeds to the major sites and a sign handle 80% of the promotion. So, I assume you have that. The product is your house - the location, how it shows, it's curb appeal, how good it smells, how accessible it is, etc. The people are you and the agent - at this point, no one has joined the party. And, then there is the price - which can overcome the most stubborn of problems - located on a major highway, have an agent that doesn't put it in the MLS, only willing to show the property Monday between 10 and noon - if your price is low enough buyers will deal with any and all of this.... more

You might consider looking up the profiles of agents active on this forum, then read back over some of the answers they've given to past questions. This would give you are feel for the person prior to making contact.
Bill... more

Good question - I have to say that it does not necessarily hurt to have a "big name" Realtor help you with the sale. Many times, they have become the "big name" because they get business done.

That said, I would still recommend that you get references from the last 5 sellers that the Realtors has helped. This will help you judge how their service level is. I have seen several "big name" agents who spend a lot of money keeping their "big name" out there, only to give less than satisfactory service.

In the end, you should hire an agent that provides good service/communication along with the experience and track record of results.... more

You need to discuss with your prospective agent what they are going to do in marketing your home to justify the commission. I give great detailed information regarding my marketing techniques to support the commision structure that I require.

Advertising is costly. All forms of advertising, from internet to print. I not only advertise in NJ, but Brooklyn and Staten Island to find the buyer for your home. I have opinions regarding different business models also. Remax is different then C21 and both are different from a corporate owned CB/C21/Prudential company to a C21-"Bob Smith" ( that is an example) .

If you would like a personal discussion reagrding the differences, please feel free to call me directly.
I am a short 5 minutes from Colts Neck and we can discuss the differences in person.